discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry di-ˈskri-mə-nə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˈskrim-nə-

1

: discriminative sense 1

2

: applying or favoring discrimination in treatment

discriminatorily

di-ˌskri-mə-nə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

-ˌskrim-nə-

adverb

Synonyms of discriminatory

• unfair
• unjust
• discriminative

Examples of discriminatory in a Sentence

The law prohibits discriminatory hiring practices.

a company that was fined for its discriminatory practices in the hiring of women

Recent Examples on the Web

In a nine-page letter to UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, the Justice Department alleged the medical school used racially discriminatory practices when selecting its incoming classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Last year, the California Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that denying educational employment opportunities to undocumented students is discriminatory — signaling to supporters that the bill had a chance. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Museum narratives that educate visitors on slavery and discriminatory social, political and legal practices would be altered to downplay the role of these practices in the nation’s past. — Richard Davis, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Its governing structure remains authoritarian, and its laws remain discriminatory. — Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for discriminatory

• adjudicatory
• anticipatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• congratulatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Kids Definition

discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkrim-(ə-)nə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: showing discrimination : being unfair

discriminatory treatment

Legal Definition

discriminatory

adjective

dis·​crim·​i·​na·​to·​ry dis-ˈkri-mə-nə-ˌtōr-ē 

1

: applying discrimination in treatment

2

: having unlawful discrimination as an effect

discriminatorily

-ˌkri-mə-nə-ˈtōr-ə-lē 

adverb